Our Mission
Through its funding and programs, the American Heart Association is advancing breakthroughs in heart disease, stroke, brain health, women’s health, cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health, health equity, artificial intelligence, and cardiac arrest survival, helping create a future of longer, healthier lives for all.
Shop With Heart + American Heart Association
100% of Shop With Heart Card sales support the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission right here in Houston, including the Go Red for Women movement and vital community, and research programs.
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women
Since 2004, the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative, Go Red for Women, has addressed the awareness and clinical care gaps of women’s greatest health threat, cardiovascular disease (CVD). We are prepared to meet the evolving needs of women now, and at every age, every stage and every season of their lives as their trusted, relevant source for credible, equitable health solutions.
Nearly 45% of women ages 20+ are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.
Less than half of women entering pregnancy in the U.S. have optimal cardiovascular health.
Women experience unique life stages, such as pregnancy and menopause, that can put them at an increased risk for CVD.
Research investment
Since 1949, the American Heart Association has invested more than $6.3 billion in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular research, making it the largest nonprofit, non-governmental funder of heart and brain health research in the United States. This investment has supported nearly 53,000 research projects.
Research Grants
In FY 2025–26, the AHA funded 1,261 new research projects totaling $185 million. Approximately 2,300 active research awards are currently supported, representing about $584 million in funding.
Lives & Communities Impacted
The American Heart Association is a worldwide leader in CPR, First Aid, and AED education, training more than 22 million people globally in CPR each year. CPR can double or triple survival chances when performed immediately. Through its Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, the AHA is working to double survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest by increasing CPR awareness, education, and confidence to act in an emergency.
Nobel Prize–winning research
American Heart Association research funding has helped launch the careers of 15 Nobel Prize winners and has invested more than $6 billion in lifesaving research since 1949.
Every Shop With Heart Card purchased helps bring this lifesaving mission home to Houston.
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Areas where the American Heart Association makes an impact and directs funding, advocacy, and resources:
- Cardiovascular Research – Funding scientific discoveries in heart disease, stroke, and brain health.
- Stroke & Brain Health – Prevention, treatment, recovery, and vascular dementia research.
- Public Policy & Advocacy – Advancing legislation and policies that improve access to healthcare, emergency response, tobacco control, nutrition, and public health.
- Nutrition & Food Systems – Promoting healthier food choices, nutrition education, food security initiatives, and industry standards that support heart health.
- CPR & Emergency Response – Expanding CPR education, AED access, and cardiac arrest survival programs.
- Health Equity – Addressing disparities in cardiovascular and brain health outcomes across communities.
- Women’s Health – Improving awareness, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular disease among women.
- Community Health Programs – Supporting local initiatives that encourage healthy lifestyles, screenings, education, and disease prevention.
- Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Health – Addressing the interconnected impacts of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and kidney disease.
- Artificial Intelligence & Innovation – Investing in emerging technologies to improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes.
- Workforce & Researcher Development – Supporting the next generation of scientists and healthcare innovators through grants and career-development awards.